Category Poetry
The Parrot’s Third Lecture
The stanza was written on Saturday 19th October, yet another of those “crunch days.” Another enormous march took place in London, in support of a “Final say ” referendum. On the same day, Prime Minister Johnson had been expected to present his Brexit “agreement” to parliament, giving it virtually no… Continue reading The Parrot's Third Lecture
The Parrot Gives a Lecture
When this stanza was written, the UK’s Mr Toad was still working to meet the deadline for his “deal” for Brexit. A deal achieved in a matter of days, following all sorts of disgraceful and hooligan goings-on, such as unlawfully proroguing Parliament, etc.
And the EU seemed to be… Continue reading The Parrot Gives a Lecture
The Parrot Finds Himself Ahead of the Law
Has the parrot started confusing himself with Dr Who ? And his cage with the Tardis ?
One thought here is that – post computers and social media etc – we are settlers in the new country, the new world, which these discoveries have made for us. Essentially, we are still… Continue reading The Parrot Finds Himself Ahead of the Law
Eye to Eye with a Right Hon Toad
This latest stanza was written after news came though yesterday evening that Damian Green MP had spoken with Mr Toad MP, Prime Minister, “eye to eye” and been reassured by the Toad’s word on it. But Mr Toad does not have a word. Does
An Exhibition of Bilingual Poems
I’m uploading here a set of photographs of an exhibition I mounted a few months ago, in Clifton Cathedral.
In the weeks that have passed since then, political and social developments everywhere have continued to be so frenzied and fast-moving and upsetting, that the exhibition feels even deeper tucked in the past than… Continue reading An Exhibition of Bilingual Poems
The Comfort of the Cage
This was written on a day (Tuesday October 8th) when the UK news gave cause for yet further despond, alarm and shame, but as Dr Doombeetle says, it will all be someone else’s fault, as always.
And Jez ? Those female MP’s facing de-selection ? Good one Jon. Good one Jez… Continue reading The Comfort of the Cage
The Parrot Mourns, the Bell Tolling
It’s become a truism that, following the 2016 EU referendum, the UK has been split essentially in half. The “Leave” half – if half is what it is – is “led” now by an Etonian felon. It seems very possible, even likely, that – post-Brexit – the country will fragment… Continue reading The Parrot Mourns, the Bell Tolling
Parrot Returns to Number 10
The Parrot has dropped by at Number 10 once before, and quite recently. But this stanza probably belongs more with the previous stanza below this one, than with his first visit.
It’s a matter of perching carefully on a window still, out of sight. The parrot does not request entry at… Continue reading Parrot Returns to Number 10
The Parrot Cries Out
The Tories were holding their annual conference. The “Get Brexit Done” slogan was everywhere and government sponsored adverts supporting Brexit were apparently going up in primary schools. The toad was leaping about to toadie applause, the beetle was sidling about to toadie terror. The rain was lashing down. The climate… Continue reading The Parrot Cries Out